No one asked me but here it goes. I am watching Stranger than Paradise by Jim Jarmusch. The first thing that pops to my mind is “man this is a kind of a snobbish black and white Ozuesque film”. Is that the adjective from Ozu? Haven't got a clue.
Anyway, I think I watched it in some form of a former Yugoslavia when I was a teenager probably back in the 1990s. Vaguely do I remember what’s it about. I think there was a series of Jarmush movies including A Night On Earth, a movie with Tom Waits, Dead Man, etc.
I was probably bored by Stranger Than Paradise back then. Watching it now I just think it’s superb. The fact that it is in black and white is just as well. Whatever. I mean, the clash or amalgams of two cultures, two different mentalities blending in NY. I am not sure it’s taking place in NY but judging by their accents...
Anyway, a brilliant film about everyday life of some obscure individuals and everything could have been going on in a frigging kitchen or in a living room for all I care! Wherever! Doesn’t matter. My question is what possesses a person to write such a script and direct such a movie. If I were him I’d totally never do anything like that. Luckily Jim Jarmush is Jim Jarmush - a director with a clear imagery in his mind.
In conclusion it is fascinating how he manages to pull it off teaching us in the process how moving pictures can tell a story out of thin air. At least that’s how it seems to me.
Comments
Post a Comment